Physics of Bungee Jumping
By Leland Velazquez

While modern bungee jumping has become known and experienced worldwide, what is less understood is the physics behind bungee jumping. Interestingly plenty, the extreme sport originated from spiritual rituals of South Pacific natives, who had no idea of the science behind the sport. Modern bungee jumping enthusiasts find much comfort in the belief that someone has done the math required to perform a safe jump. So who developed the physics of bungee jumping and how sure are the modern practitioners of the sport that it is relatively safe? Let's start by taking a look at the bloodlines of the science behind the sport.

Years before the discovery of the land diving natives on Pentecost Island, a British mathematician named Robert Hooke was discovering the physics of bungee jumping. He began working as an assistant to the famous scientist Robert Boyle in 1653. Nevertheless, it wasn't until 1660 that he formulated and wrote down Hooke's Law of Elasticity. In laymen's terms, Hooke's law fundamentally tells us how much tension a spring can endure, and the maximum length it will reach. Hooke's law can be used for any material that is believed linear-elastic, or extending lengthwise. Oddly enough, rubber is normally considered non-linear, because variations of tension and temperature can have a significant affect the flexibility of the rubber.

Presently, modern practitioners of the physics of bungee don't need to be as well-versed as Hooke. Depending on the bungee cords used and their ratings, the science has been simplified quite a bit. The commercial proprietor who is offering 'bungee jumping' as an extreme sport still has to be on their toes. Cords that're made to meet a better established United States military specification (mil spec) are possibly the best to use. This is simply as a result of the rigorous testing that must go in to guaranteeing they meet the mil spec. Most of these cords have a particular weight restrict and elongation potential. Using these numbers, in addition to the length of the jump and the weight of the jumper, the calculations can be produced. The length of rope needed, how many strands are essential for the weight, and how much beyond the normal length of the cord the jumper can expect to go.

The physics of bungee jumping has changed some with advances in the material used in bungee cords. Some cords are, in addition 'pre-streched' so there is less suppleness and bounce, and an increasingly forceful shock and return from the bottom of the jump position. The problems with some jumpers using cords that were too long are the outcome of not understanding the physics of bungee jumping. Even though modern bungee cords are weight and elongation rated, some individuals still fail to take this into account when performing amateur jumps. This is the reason why it is highly recommended that anyone who wishes to learn bungee jumping should confer with a professional. This is not a sport that you can find and practice at home. The physics of bungee jumping have been simplified by 20th century manufacturing standards, leading to a much safer sport for everyone participating.

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